Flickr

The online photo gallery Flickr has been blocked here in the UAE, apparently since about 2006 for cultural and religious reasons. However as of 1 October the authorities are lifting the block. Flickr allows you to store photos online and make accessible your photos through social networking. Of course with that comes the small percentage who upload undesirable photos etc and sharing of photos which may be harmless but have serious repercussions. The usual qualms with online tools and social networking. So has the ban been about dictatorship, or are the authorities really concerned about protecting the citizens from undesirables, especially the girls, and youngsters being provocative and proactive. I'd like to believe the later especially now the block has been lifted. The reason stated is that many many citizens have online networking sites like Bebo, Facebook etc and are sharing photos through those avenues any way. Flickr has lots of good attributes and many photgraphers, amateur or otherwise use these features. The authorities have also acknowledged this as way to share UAE culture with the out world. So I have no excuse now and shall begin sharing soon